Best Credit Cards for International Travel of December 2024
Updated: Nov 26, 2024
+ 2 more+ 2 more
Traveling outside the United States? Make sure the credit card you bring is a worthy companion. The best credit cards for international travel are accepted worldwide, provide solid rewards for travel-related expenses and don't charge an extra fee for purchases outside the U.S. Many of them also come with travel protections, such as trip delay and trip cancellation insurance and coverage for lost or delayed luggage.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Traveling outside the United States? Make sure the credit card you bring is a worthy companion. The best credit cards for international travel are accepted worldwide, provide solid rewards for travel-related expenses and don't charge an extra fee for purchases outside the U.S. Many of them also come with travel protections, such as trip delay and trip cancellation insurance and coverage for lost or delayed luggage.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards.
Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today,
The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America"
and many other national, regional and local media outlets.
Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Show More
Traveling outside the United States? Make sure the credit card you bring is a worthy companion. The best credit cards for international travel are accepted worldwide, provide solid rewards for travel-related expenses and don't charge an extra fee for purchases outside the U.S. Many of them also come with travel protections, such as trip delay and trip cancellation insurance and coverage for lost or delayed luggage.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Traveling outside the United States? Make sure the credit card you bring is a worthy companion. The best credit cards for international travel are accepted worldwide, provide solid rewards for travel-related expenses and don't charge an extra fee for purchases outside the U.S. Many of them also come with travel protections, such as trip delay and trip cancellation insurance and coverage for lost or delayed luggage.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet's Best Credit Cards for International Travel of December 2024
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best for Flexibility and value
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for Simple travel rewards
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for VIP travel
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best for Flexibility and high-end perks
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: Best for Rewards on everyday spending
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card: Best for Bonus rewards + no annual fee
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card: Best for Simple rewards + no annual fee
Show SummaryHide Summary
Best Credit Cards for International Travel From Our Partners
| Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Wells Fargo Autograph℠ CardApply Now on Wells Fargo's website on Wells Fargo's website | Best for Bonus rewards + no annual fee | $0 | 1x-3x | 20,000 points | Apply Now on Wells Fargo's website on Wells Fargo's website |
 Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardApply Now on Capital One's website on Capital One's website | Best for Simple travel rewards | $95 | 2x-5x | 75,000 miles | Apply Now on Capital One's website on Capital One's website |
 Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardApply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website | Best for Flexibility and value | $95 | 1x-5x | 60,000 points | Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website |
 Citi Strata Premier℠ CardApply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application | Best for Rewards on everyday spending | $95 | 1x-10x | 75,000 points | Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application |
 Chase Sapphire Reserve®Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website | Best for Flexibility and high-end perks | $550 | 1x-10x | 60,000 points | Apply Now on Chase's website on Chase's website |
 The Platinum Card® from American ExpressApply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website | Best for VIP travel | $695 | 1x-5x | 80,000 points | Apply Now on American Express' website on American Express' website |
 Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit cardApply Now on Bank of America's website on Bank of America's website | Best for Simple rewards + no annual fee | $0 | 1.5x | 25,000 points | Apply Now on Bank of America's website on Bank of America's website |
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Bonus rewards + no annual fee
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards in a host of common spending categories.
Our Take
Travel rewards: 3 points per dollar spent on travel.
Other rewards: 3 points per dollar at restaurants, at gas stations, on transit, and on popular streaming services and phone plans; 1 point per dollar on other spending.
Redemption options include using points to book travel through the issuer or for statement credit.
$0 annual fee.
The bonus offer is outstanding for a no-annual-fee card.
Visa card, accepted worldwide.
No foreign transaction fees.
This card also has an intro APR offer.
This card lacks many of the travel protections offered by cards with annual fees, such as trip cancellation, interruption or delay insurance or coverage for lost or delayed luggage.
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards in a host of common spending categories.
Simple travel rewards
Simple rewards, flexible redemption and a great bonus offer have rightly made the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card one of the most popular travel credit cards on the market.
Product Details
- Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- View Rates & Fees
Our Take
Travel rewards: 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel; 2 miles per dollar on other travel.
Other rewards: 2 miles per dollar on other purchases.
Miles can be redeemed for any travel expense at a value of 1 cent apiece. (Book travel with your card however you want, then use miles to pay for it.)
Miles can also be transferred to airline and hotel partners.
Reimbursement for the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
Mastercard, accepted worldwide. (This card has been issued as both a Visa and a Mastercard. New applications will receive a Mastercard.)
No foreign transaction fees.
Travel coverages include lost luggage; travel accident; rental car damage.
Simplicity has helped make this card popular, but simplicity means you don't have many options to earn bonus rewards.
Although you can transfer miles to several airline loyalty programs, domestic options are scant.
You don't get the kinds of perks you would get with a branded airline or hotel card (such as free checked bags or upgrades) or with a premium card.
Simple rewards, flexible redemption and a great bonus offer have rightly made the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card one of the most popular travel credit cards on the market.
Flexibility and value
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an outstanding option for both beginners and seasoned travelers. You get excellent value for its $95 annual fee, starting with a strong bonus offer.
Product Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- Member FDIC
Our Take
Travel rewards: 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase; 2 points per dollar on other travel.
Other rewards: 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases (not including Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
Points are worth 1.25 cents apiece when redeemed for travel booked through Chase. (You can transfer points to this card from other Chase cards and get the higher redemption value.)
Points can also be transferred to about a dozen airline and hotel programs, including U.S. and international partners.
Visa card, accepted worldwide.
No foreign transaction fees.
Travel coverages include trip cancellation; trip interruption; trip delay; baggage delay; lost luggage; travel accident; rental car damage.
Chase's no-annual-fee cash back cards now offer competitive rewards on dining and some travel when compared with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
You don't get the kinds of perks you would get with a branded airline or hotel card (such as free checked bags or upgrades) or with a premium card (like lounge access or generous credits).
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an outstanding option for both beginners and seasoned travelers. You get excellent value for its $95 annual fee, starting with a strong bonus offer.
Rewards on everyday spending
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card stands out by earning 3X rewards not just on big travel expenses but also on major everyday spending categories.
Product Details
- For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
- Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
- View Rates & Fees
Our Take
Travel rewards: 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, rental cars and attractions booked through Citi and 3 points per dollar on air travel and other hotels.
Other rewards: 3 points per dollar at supermarkets, restaurants and gas stations; 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
Redemption options include travel booked through Citi and cash back. You can also transfer points to partner airline and hotel programs.
The annual hotel benefit — $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (taxes and fees excluded) booked through Citi — basically pays for the card.
Bonus offer: For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
Mastercard, accepted worldwide.
No foreign transaction fees.
This card no longer allows you to redeem points for airfare at 1.25 cents apiece, as it once did; travel redemptions are now 1 cent per point.
Although you can transfer the points to airline partners, those carriers are mostly foreign-based.
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card stands out by earning 3X rewards not just on big travel expenses but also on major everyday spending categories.
Flexibility and high-end perks
The price tag might make the Chase Sapphire Reserve® look like a luxury card, but avid travelers know that the rich rewards and solid perks make this card a relative bargain.
Product Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
Our Take
Travel rewards: 10 points per dollar spent on hotel stays and car rentals booked through Chase; 5 point per dollar on air travel booked through Chase; 3 points per dollar on other travel.
Other rewards: 10 points per dollar on Chase Dining purchases; 3 points per dollar on other dining; 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Points are worth 1.5 cents apiece when redeemed for travel booked through Chase. (You can transfer points to this card from other Chase cards and get the higher redemption value.)
Points can also be transferred to about a dozen airline and hotel programs, including U.S. and international partners.
Perks include $300 a year in automatic statement credit for travel expenses; Priority Pass airport lounge access and reimbursement for the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
Visa card, accepted worldwide.
No foreign transaction fees.
Travel protections include trip interruption; trip cancellation; trip delay; travel accident; baggage delay; lost luggage; rental car damage.
The $550 fee is still a significant out-of-pocket expense.
Much of the value of the card is tied up in the $300 travel credit. Get this card only if you are a dedicated traveler.
The price tag might make the Chase Sapphire Reserve® look like a luxury card, but avid travelers know that the rich rewards and solid perks make this card a relative bargain.
VIP travel
The luxury benefits come at a high cost, but if you’re willing to pay to be treated like a VIP when you travel, The Platinum Card® from American Express will be rewarding.
Product Details
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.¤
- Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our Take
Travel rewards: 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 in spending per year; 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
Other rewards: 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Redemption options include using points to book travel through American Express or transferring them to more than a dozen airline and hotel partners, including both domestic and international options.
The card's value lies primarily in the perks, including:
Access to well over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide, including AmEx's Centurion Lounges and multiple partner networks.
$200 a year in credit for incidental fees on an airline you choose.
Up to $200 a year in Uber credit.
Reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, plus credit to cover the cost of a Clear membership.
Hundreds of dollars a year in additional travel, shopping, entertainment and lifestyle credits.
Travel protections like trip interruption and rental car damage.
No foreign transaction fees.
Terms apply.
American Express isn't as widely accepted internationally as Visa or Mastercard. This may be less of an issue at high-end destinations, but bring a backup card overseas just in case.
The $695 annual fee is about as high as it gets for a mainstream card.
While the perks are lavish, the rewards you earn can be rather poor if you don’t spend a lot on travel.
The luxury benefits come at a high cost, but if you’re willing to pay to be treated like a VIP when you travel, The Platinum Card® from American Express will be rewarding.
Simple rewards + no annual fee
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is all about simplicity and value. You get solid rewards on every single purchase without an annual fee.
Product Details
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Our Take
Rewards: 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases, including travel.
Other rewards: 1.5 points per dollar spent.
Points can be redeemed for statement credit against travel or dining purchases.
Bank of America® has an expansive definition of "travel expenses," so your redemption options aren't just limited to plane rides and hotel stays.
$0 annual fee.
It's the rare travel-focused card with a great intro APR offer for balance transfers, as well as for purchases.
Visa card, accepted worldwide.
No foreign transaction fees.
No option for bonus rewards.
No option to transfer points to partner airline or hotel programs.
No significant travel protections, such as trip interruption insurance or coverage for lost luggage.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is all about simplicity and value. You get solid rewards on every single purchase without an annual fee.
FULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Our pick for: Flexibility and value
For a reasonable annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns bonus rewards (up to 5X) on travel, dining, select streaming services, and select online grocery purchases. Points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel booked through Chase, or you can transfer them to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. The sign-up bonus is stellar, too. Read our review.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Our pick for: Simple travel rewards
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is probably the best-known general-purpose travel credit card, thanks to its ubiquitous advertising. You earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases. Miles can be redeemed at a value of 1 cent apiece for any travel purchase, without the blackout dates and other restrictions of branded hotel and airline cards. The card offers a great sign-up bonus and other worthwhile perks (see rates and fees). Read our review.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Our pick for: VIP travel
The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a hefty annual fee, but travelers who like to go in style (and aren't afraid to pay for comfort) can more than get their money's worth. Enjoy extensive airport lounge access, hundreds of dollars a year in travel and shopping credits, hotel benefits and more. That's not even getting into the high rewards rate on eligible travel purchases and the rich welcome offer for new cardholders. Read our review.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Our pick for: Flexibility and high-end perks
The high annual fee on the Chase Sapphire Reserve® gives many potential applicants pause, but frequent travelers should be able to wring enough value out of this card to more than make up for the cost. Cardholders get bonus rewards (up to 10X) on dining and travel, a fat bonus offer, annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and a 50% boost in point value when redeeming points for travel booked through Chase. Points can also be transferred to about a dozen airline and hotel partners. Read our review.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Our pick for: Simple rewards + no annual fee
One of the best no-annual-fee travel cards available, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card gives you a solid rewards rate on every purchase, with points that can be redeemed for any travel purchase, without the restrictions of branded airline and hotel cards. Bank of America® has an expansive definition of "travel," too, giving you additional flexibility in how you use your rewards. Read our review.
Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Our pick for: Bonus rewards + no annual fee
The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card offers so much value, it's hard to believe there's no annual fee. Start with a great bonus offer, then earn extra rewards in a host of common spending categories — restaurants, gas stations, transit, travel, streaming and more. Read our review.
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Our pick for: Rewards on everyday spending
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card earns bonus points on select travel, supermarkets, dining, gas stations and EV stations. There's a solid sign-up bonus as well. Read our review.
• • •
HOW TO COMPARE CREDIT CARDS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
The factors that go into choosing a credit card specifically for international travel aren't that different from choosing a travel card in general. You'll want to look at such things as annual fees, rewards rates, cardholder perks and sign-up bonuses. But a few items take on outsize importance when picking a card to use outside the United States:
Foreign transaction fees. Many cards slap a surcharge on purchases made outside the U.S. The typical foreign transaction fee is 3% of the purchase amount. Any credit card you plan to use abroad should not have this fee — period.
International acceptance. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted internationally. If a place takes credit cards, it's probably going to take Visa and Mastercard. American Express is less widely accepted. Tourist-focused destinations will be friendlier to AmEx, but even then, take along a Visa or Mastercard as a backup. Discover lags way behind in international acceptance, although it does have partnerships with some foreign payment networks.
Travel protections. When you're far from home, a credit card becomes even more valuable if it offers coverage for things like trip delays or interruptions, luggage problems and rental car damage.
Understand that no travel rewards credit card — no credit card of any kind — is going to have everything you want. You're going to be disappointed if you expect to find high rewards rates, a generous sign-up bonus, top-notch perks and no annual fee. Each card delivers value through a different combination of features; it's up to you to compare cards based and choose the best credit card for international travel for your specific needs and preferences.
Our roundup of the best travel credit cards offers comprehensive guidance on choosing travel cards. Below, we'll hit the high points specifically as they apply to choosing a card for international travel.
Annual fee
Most of the best cards for international travel charge an annual fee. Fees around $100 are standard; for that, you can expect solid rewards and some useful benefits. Premium cards with extensive perks like airport lounge access and travel protections can have fees of $500 or more. Paying an annual fee isn't required, though. There are good cards on our list without annual fees (and we've rounded up more here). Just be aware that if you go with a no-fee travel card, you'll earn rewards at a lower rate, your sign-up bonus will be smaller, and you won't get as many (if any) perks.
Rewards
When looking at credit card rewards, there are two parts to the value equation: How much you earn when you make purchases with your card, and what you can do with those rewards.
Earning: The cards on this page all earn points of one kind or another. Some cards pay the same rate — for example, 2 points per dollar — on all purchases. Some pay bonus rewards in specific categories, such as travel, restaurants or gas stations. Don't just focus on the numbers, though. Pay attention to the details of the categories. For example, earning 5 points per dollar on airfare seems terrific. But there's a difference between earning 5X on airfare booked directly airlines (where you can hunt for the best deal) and earning 5X only on airfare booked through the issuer portal (where selection may be limited and prices inflated).
Redemption: Points are only as good as your ability to redeem them. Some cards give you a lot of options for using your rewards. Others, not so much. Can you use your points to book travel? Use them for statement credit to offset travel purchases? Redeem them for cash back? And what kind of value do you get per point when you redeem? The industry standard is 1 cent per point, but some cards give you more value for certain redemptions (and some cards give you less value for certain redemptions). Another consideration: Can you transfer points to partner airline or hotel loyalty programs to potentially get more value? If so, are those partner programs realistic options for you?
Sign-up bonus
Travel cards tend to have the biggest sign-up bonuses — tens of thousands of points that you earn by hitting a certain amount of spending. But there's more to consider when comparing sign-up bonuses than just how many points or miles you earn. You must also take into account how much you have to spend to claim the bonus. Never spend money you don't have just to earn a sign-up bonus. Carrying $3,000 in debt for a year in order to earn a bonus worth $500 doesn't make economic sense. The interest you'll pay could easily wipe out the value of the bonus.
Foreign transaction fees
Simply put, if a card charges a foreign transaction fee, it's not a good credit card for international travel. These fees are surcharges on purchases made outside the U.S. The industry standard is about 3%, which is enough to wipe out most if not all of the rewards you earn on a purchase. If you never travel outside the U.S., these fees aren't a concern, but anyone who travels abroad should bring a no-foreign-transaction-fee card with them. Some issuers don't charge foreign transaction fees on any of their cards. Others charge them on some cards but not all.
International acceptance
Not all travel credit cards are great companions for international travel. While Visa and Mastercard are good pretty much worldwide, you may encounter limited acceptance for American Express and, especially, Discover, depending on the destination. This doesn't mean world travelers should dismiss AmEx and Discover. Just know that if you take one of these cards with you overseas, you'd be smart to bring along a backup in case you run into acceptance problems. (Having a backup card is good advice within the U.S., too, really.)
Travel protections
Consider which travel protections — car rental insurance, trip cancellation coverage, lost baggage protection — are important to you.
Perks
"Rewards" are what you get for using a credit card — the points earned with each transaction and the bonuses you unlock with your spending. "Perks" are goodies that you get just for carrying the card. There's a very close correlation between the annual fee on a card and the perks you get for carrying it. Cards with no annual fee are all about rewards and go very light on perks. Premium cards with annual fees of $500 or more are laden with perks (although sometimes their rewards aren't too special). Midtier cards (in the $100 range) tend to have solid rewards and a handful of high-value perks. Assuming you take advantage of them, the perks can often easily make up for the annual fee on a card.
• • •
To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Insurance Benefit: Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance
Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Last updated on November 26, 2024
Methodology
NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best credit cards for international travel based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of travelers. Factors in our evaluation include each card's annual fee, foreign transaction fees, rewards earnings rates, ease of use, redemption options, domestic and international acceptance, promotional APR period, bonus offers, and cardholder perks such as automatic statement credits, airport lounge access and travel protections. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
About the author
